desiderata877

Chapter 10: Windfall

MC: That foreigner was a strange person. I told him I would go again without thinking but… what do I do? (I feel like I’ve met that guy somewhere before but… I can’t remember… Maybe I’m mistaken?)

Old Pal: Worried about something again?? What happened now?

MC: Ah! Old Pal…!? Don’t jump out of nowhere like that. You scared me…

Old Pal: Fortune tellers are elusive….maybe. Anyways, where ya headed off to?

MC: My flower arrangement class… You see, our bar is closed. So now I have this free time, and it was recommended to me so..

Old Pal: Wah, flower arrangement! But I really wanted y’all to open up sooner for me… But you’re still on the receiving end of Mimosa’s recklessness, so it’s probably no good right now. But you talk to me! I think I should be weary of those other guys but…

MC: To be honest, I really don’t know you all that well. But it’s not like get the blunt attitude from you like I get from Mimosa.

Old Pal: Oh, I see now! I just wanna be friends with everyone! I’m grateful that you speak to me like a normal person. It’s a great thing! But… Even if I say that, right now you’re not in a position to make friends. What’s goin on with those guys? Are they still depressed?

MC: I think Salty Dog is still feeling a bit blue… But it seems like everyone is doing their best at their day jobs. I also need to hurry and find a job.

Old Pal: Hm? You’re lookin for work? Well then, here ya go!

MC: A job advertisement? Where did you get this from?

Old Pal: That’s a trade secret! Besides being a fortune teller, I’m also a magician. I can’t reveal my secrets. But that’s just a joke. Being a fortune teller isn’t a stable job, ya know? In other words, I gotta search for work every day, so I get these free job advertisements. But I really like fortune telling, so that’s why I keep doing it

MC: If possible, I’d like to do a job that’s fun and pays well, but I guess I can’t ask for such a luxury now.

A few days later

Emerald Mist: What…? You’ve decided on a job…? YOU???

White Lady: Girl, I really didn’t think you would work anywhere else aside from our bar but… What kind of job is it?

MC: I’m going to be a custodian at a department store. It’s part time, so the hours aren’t very long, so it should be… yeah!

Manhattan: Ahh, I hoped you would do a job in customer service since that’s what you were all about. The club I sometimes do appearances at it is hiring right now, ya know?

MC: Public places like those kinds of clubs are out of the question! They hired me, and I’m going to do my best at cleaning so I’ll be okay!

White Lady: This…really doesn’t seem like you. When Tom Collins and everyone learn that you found a job all by yourself, they’ll be thrilled!

Salty Dog: Tom Collins and everyone….. We still haven’t received any word from them, have we?

Kiss in the Dark: Speaking of which… I heard they were on extended leave but… that’s how their schedule was looking, right Kamikaze?

Kamikaze: Y-yeah. Extended leave.

Pink Lady: …Why do you sound so monotonous like that? I don’t know what this ‘extended leave’ thing is, but something isn’t right for us to not have heard from them until now.

*door opening*

American Lemonade: I’m home!! Oh, are we all getting together today?

Manhattan: Welcome home. Are you guys coming back from the studio or….huh!? Hang on, why is Dirty Mother holding someone in his arms?

Dirty Mother: He collapsed near the house, so I picked him up and brought him here. He may be hungry. He should feel better after we have him eat about 20 hot cakes.

Sidecar: We’re sorry, but do you think we can leave him in the living room for now?

MC: Yeah, that’s fine but… is he okay? Shouldn’t we call an ambulance?

Long Island Iced Tea: His breathing is stable, and he doesn’t look that sick. He’s not bleeding, and his pulse seems fine, so can’t we just wait and see how he turns out?

Emerald Mist: Hah… It never ends when it comes to animals, but I can’t believe you brought a human back home. I’m sorry, but this is just a hindrance. Allow me return to my room.

White Lady: I don’t want to deal with this trouble neither! Everyone, good luck taking care of him.